Diving Ducks Threatened By Harsh Winter, Frozen Lakes

Diving ducks are being threatened by an exceptionally harsh winter, which has frozen rivers and lakes throughout the Midwest. Although the ice cover is good news for fish, numerous birds are suffering. The same ice that protects fish from predators is making it difficult for ducks to find food.

The problem is specifically notable in the Midwest. Although many birds migrate during the winter, diving ducks often remain in the Midwest. As the Great Lakes rarely freeze over, they provide the ducks with plenty of food throughout the colder months.

Jim Knickelbine, with the Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve, said the unusually harsh winter has negatively impacted the ducks.

“They are not having a good winter… They’re expending more energy trying to find food than they normally do and all the cold weather is causing them to use up their energy reserves. As a result, they’re malnourished.”

During the winter months, diving ducks usually catch fish along the shore. However, shallow waters are often the first to freeze. As the Great Lakes are more than 80 percent frozen, the ducks are forced to fly much further to find open water.

Duck rehabilitator Susan Theys explains that the ducks are forced to dive deeper to find fish. She said “some of them can’t dive deep enough to get the food.”

Biologist Jeff Pritzl, with the Department of Natural Resources, said many ducks are becoming stranded on the ice. He said the birds often get confused and land on the ice mistaking it for open water.

Ducks need to run before they take flight. Unfortunately, it may be difficult or impossible to run across the slippery ice. The Green Bay Press Gazette reports that the exertion can exhaust the birds, as many are already malnourished and weak.

Animal rescue and rehabilitation groups are working to save the malnourished birds. Wildlife of Wisconsin has rescued dozens of birds and nursed them back to health. As reported by Star Tribune, the diving ducks are fed and average of 4 to 5 pounds of fish per day until they reach optimal weight. They are then returned to the shore.

Theys said she has seen an overwhelming response from rehabilitation organizations. She said “it’s lucky that people responded so quickly… once a duck is down, it usually has less than 48 hours to live.”

Latest weather reports suggest another cold spell, which is expected to last up to two weeks. Although some of the rivers and portions of the lakes began melting, they will likely re-freeze. The diving ducks are experiencing a difficult season. Thankfully, several rehabilitation organizations are dedicated to saving as many diving ducks as possible.

[Image via Shutterstock]